This was the first time Jian Yi had seen Comrade Feng Shuji, who was hailed as exceptionally intelligent by Little Stone and Ah Tu.
However, Feng Tang's appearance didn't match Jian Yi's expectations of someone described as "exceptional." He had short, jet-black hair that showed no signs of graying. Not only was he not balding, but his face was also more handsome than most male idols on television.
Upon seeing Feng Tang for the first time, Jian Yi realized what it meant for an outstanding man to have dedicated himself to the country. This young man, who extended a sincere invitation for her family to join the village's expedition team to search for supplies, couldn't be older than thirty.
With his sun-kissed tan from years of outdoor work, sharp facial features, and a pair of eyes that naturally exuded a convincing determination, he seemed filled with the noble spirit of working and sacrificing for the people.
Looking at him, Jian Yi immediately thought of four words—resolute and determined.
If this were ancient times, Jian Yi believed that Feng Tang would be the type of leader who devoted himself to the welfare of the people and didn't hesitate to sacrifice for the greater good.
"Feng Shuji, how old are you?" Jian Yi asked curiously, her eyes sparkling like a mischievous little sister's.
Feng Tang, who had been earnestly explaining the necessity of joining the expedition team to search for supplies to Jian Yi's family, instinctively furrowed his brows upon hearing her question. However, he tried to speak to the high school student in front of him in as calm a tone as possible. "I'm 28. How about you?"
"I'm 18!" Jian Yi replied with a smile, just a month short of that age.
With a ten-year age gap between them, Feng Tang couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. He didn't know if this young girl would be able to understand the importance of what he had just explained.
At first, when he heard from the villagers that this outsider family was following the advice of a young girl, he instinctively thought she must be exceptionally intelligent, mature beyond her years, or at least someone who appeared remarkably clever.
At the very least, she should be someone who seemed smart at first glance.
But from the moment they met, everything this girl exhibited, whether it was her words or her unconscious gestures, didn't suggest any connection to intelligence.
Now, seeing her focus so intently on his appearance and age, Feng Tang couldn't help but wonder if her next question would be whether he was married.
"Feng Shuji, you're quite young. Do you have a girlfriend? You should be married by now, right?" Jian Yi asked curiously.
Feng Tang: "Neither."
"I haven't thought about it for now," he added, not sure why he even said that.
Seeing a hint of disappointment in the girl's eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief, for reasons unknown to him.
"Winter conditions will only become more severe, and the situation ahead is even more unpredictable. Since you've chosen to stay in our Jin Valley Village instead of following the large group to the base, you should be aware that there won't be any military protection here. We have to figure everything out ourselves."
Feng Tang stood up and extended another invitation, "Since you have the ability to deal with two mutant individuals, I believe you should join the team that goes out to find food. This is not only for our village but also for your own survival."
"As you've chosen to stay in Jin Valley Village, in my eyes, you're already a part of our community. In the current situation, we need to stand together to survive. I hope you'll consider what I've said."
After finishing his speech, Feng Tang looked at Zhang Ming, who was standing by the door. Suddenly, he had doubts about whether he had chosen the right person to discuss this matter. Zhang Ming appeared normal.
Sighing once more, Feng Tang turned to leave.
"No need to think about it," the girl suddenly spoke up, her tone decisive.
Feng Tang pursed his lips and furrowed his brows deeper upon hearing her response. He had been working in rural areas for three years, and he had encountered villagers who were easy to get along with as well as those who were challenging to work with.
To change the minds of stubborn villagers, he had spent six consecutive months working alongside them every day, helping them with farm work, and subtly altering their entrenched beliefs. It had been a long and exhausting process, but he had successfully turned initially resistant villagers into enthusiastic participants in community projects.
This experience had taken a toll on him, both physically and mentally. He had lost over 20 pounds during that time, and when he saw his gaunt reflection in the mirror, he had been taken aback.
However, whenever he thought about the progress they had made in the anti-poverty work, he couldn't help but feel proud.
Now, even though the times had changed, he still considered every villager in Jin Valley as a project that needed his attention. He had the perseverance to deal with stubborn individuals until they changed their minds.
So today, if things didn't work out, he would come back tomorrow and continue until he successfully influenced this young girl's thinking.
"I have a younger brother and Zhang Ming to accompany you. Take Tonton with you. She's young, so she'll need extra protection. Oh, and what time do you plan to leave? I've been observing the weather for the past few days, and the conditions will be favorable the day after tomorrow," Jian Yi said with a smile.
Feng Tang was shocked and turned around. Jian Yi, who had been so puzzled earlier, was now making her decision. He wasn't sure whether he had chosen the right person to discuss this matter or not, but at least she seemed more reasonable now.
Feng Tang felt relieved and said, "How about you?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Jian Yi continued, curious.
Feng Tang was even more bewildered by her question. He looked around at the people in the room— a middle-aged woman who seemed uninterested, a child who hadn't even started school, and a teenager who appeared green and inexperienced.
Feng Tang felt a sense of despair. What kind of family was this that even such a young child dared to step forward eagerly?